Why has a Gorilla been named Afia? Of course, minus the Schwarzenegger—else we would have helped our very own radio presenter with the same nickname to sue to Bristol Zoo in UK for contempt.
Anyway, there was happiness at Bristol Zoo as a seven-week-old Afia, the first gorilla born by caesarean section in the UK, blinked in the bright sunshine—but report says she looked contented as her keepers began familiarising her with the British climate.
According to MailOnline;
The baby western lowland gorilla, a critically endangered species, was delivered by emergency caesarean section at Bristol Zoo last month when her mother Kera became seriously ill.
Huddled close to her carer in a sling, she was shown her enclosure for the first time yesterday.
The cameras were invited along as she made her debut at Bristol Zoo’s island enclosure to start getting used to outdoor sights and smells. She will not immediately go on show to visitors.
The tiny gorilla has been cared for round-the-clock by a team of keepers and is said to be developing well.
Her mother, who has suffered with anaemia, is also said to be recovering well and is eating and drinking regularly.
Keepers do not yet know whether she will accept her baby, but another gorilla, Romina, is showing strong maternal instincts towards Afia and may well end up fostering her.
Afia’s name was chosen by public vote and means ‘Friday-born child’ in Ghanaian. It was a firm favourite, winning over 9,000 votes.
Bristol Zoo’s curator of mammals Lynsey Bugg said: ‘We’re thrilled to now be able to refer to her by name and would like to thank the public for helping us choose.
Apart from the fact that this is the first gorilla to be born in UK via caesarean section, the name Afia caught our attention…
Welcome to the world; Afia!
Afia Gorrilla..